Topic: Noise Pollution
NOISE POLLUTION
SOUND VS NOISE
SOUND
Sound is made up of vibrations, or sound waves, that we can hear.
NOISE
A noise is an unpleasant or unexpected sound.
Sound becomes unwanted or noise when it either interferes with normal activities such
as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life. To be precise,
noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels and is painful above 120 decibels.
FOUR TYPES OF NOISE
1. Variable noise
Different operations or different noise sources cause the sound changes over time.
2. Continuous noise
It’s noise that is produced continuously, for example, by machinery that keeps running
without interruption. This could come from factory equipment, engine noise, or heating
and ventilation systems.
3. Intermittent noise
Intermittent noise is a noise level that increases and decreases rapidly. This might be
caused by a train passing by factory equipment that operates in cycles, or aircraft flying
above your house.
4. Impulsive noise
Impulsive noise is most commonly associated with the construction and demolition
industry. These sudden bursts of noise can startle you by their fast and surprising nature.
NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution refer to a type of energy pollution in which distracting, irritating or
damaging sounds are freely audible. It can be defined as any disturbing or unwanted
noise that interferes or harms humans or wildlife. In this type of pollution contaminants
are not physical particles, but waves which interfere with the naturally occurring waves of
a similar type in the same environment.
TYPES OF NOISE POLLUTION
MAN-MADE NOISE
This refers to the noise created due to man-made activities. It can be anything from
construction work, noise from the air, vehicular traffic, household noise, noise from pubs
and bars, to name a few. Ranging from 30 to a whopping 140 dB, this form of noise is
extremely harmful to humans.
ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE
Environmental Noise refers to the kind of noise occurring from a range of environmental
activities. This can be anything from the mating call of animals to the sound of
thunderstorms that often go up to 140 dB.
SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION
1.Household Sources
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•
•
•
•
TV
Music systems at home
Washing Machine
Cooler, Dryer, Mixer grinder
Kids playing
2.Social Events
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•
•
Parties
Market area
Loudspeakers
3.Commercial and Industrial Activities
•
•
•
Manufacturing Industries
Construction Sites
Printing Presses
4. Transportation
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•
•
•
Automotive and Aircraft Noise
Motorcycles
Scooters
Noise from Rail Roads
Adverse Effect of Noise Pollution
On Human Health
➢ Hearing Loss
The most common health problem it causes is Noise Induced
Hearing Loss (NIHL). At certain levels and durations of exposure to
noise, it can cause physical damage to our eardrum and the sensitive
hair cells of our inner ear and result in temporary or permanent
hearing problems.
➢ Emotion and Behavioral Change
The brain is always monitoring sounds for signs of danger, even
during sleep. As a result, frequent or loud noise can trigger anxiety
or stress. With continued exposure to noise pollution, a person’s
sensitivity to stress increases.
➢ Mental Health Problems
Exposure to loud sound can lead us to elevated stress levels as well
as stimulate violent behavior.
➢ Sleep Disturbances
Noise can deter sleep because of its psychological effect
➢ Poor Cognitive Function
Noise may affect people’s ability to focus, which can lead to low
performance over time.
➢ Trouble Communicating
A noisy environment that produces more than 50-60 decibels simply
does not allow 2 people to communicate properly
Plant and Tress
Many plants and trees rely on birds and other animals to transport pollen or
disseminate their seeds from one flower or tree to the next, but many animals are
responding to the noise by modifying their behavior or moving to quieter areas.
On Animals and Marine Life
According to the National Park Service (NPS) in the United States,
noise pollution has an enormous environmental impact and does serious
damage to wildlife. Experts say noise pollution can interfere with breeding
cycles and rearing and is even hastening the extinction of some species.
➢ Anxious Behavior
Like human beings, wild animals also experience a change in
behavior depending on the level of peace or noise present. The agitation
caused by noise influences heightened aggression levels in all animals, and
interestingly, irritation has even been reported for birds.
➢ Reproduction Problems
Animals use unique voices to know the locations of mates and stay
away from danger. Birds also use low pitched sounds in order to attract
mates.
➢ Feeding Patterns Reduction
Bats, whales, and dolphins, for example, use their acute hearing
abilities – known as echolocation – to navigate, forage, and avoid prey.
Noise pollution has neutralized this since it obliterates all other sounds.
➢ Hearing Problems
Dolphins and whales are frequent visitors to the shallow waters of
large oceans. But because of the continuous loud noise caused by drilling
machines in the oceans, some of these animal’s hearing capabilities have
been severely impacted, with some having a permanent hearing
impairment.
Noise Pollution (Control Strategies)
1. Sound-proof your home
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Make use of rugs - This is certainly relevant if you have hard flooring
in your home. Rugs absorb sound, which works to help to reduce the noise created
by your flooring.
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Create a separate room for appliances that causes to much noise
when you use. This includes washing machines, electric fans, etc. This can greatly
affect to minimize the noise inside your house.
•
Windows are one of the common spots where noise can enter
through your house. Sound from outside can be reduced by installing better
windows, sealing window frames, or hanging curtains.
2. Use earplugs
Earplugs is one of the most efficient ways to deal with noise pollution. Earplugs
can be used to filter out sounds from outside your home. When you are about to sleep,
you can use earplugs to limit out noise; you may also want to consider sound-canceling
versions. They're a little pricey, but they're great for noise reduction. Noise-cancelling
earphones detect noise and respond by emitting noise-cancelling sounds.
3. Mask the noise
It is possible to drown out unpleasant noise with pleasurable sounds. Creating
peaceful sounds on purpose can help to divert your attention from the noise around you
and bring a sense of peace and tranquility into your home. You can do this by hanging
wind chimes on your home or by playing a peaceful music that you personally like.
4. Moving out
This can be your option if the noise in your present place is not tolerable. This may
appear a drastic decision, but it may be worth the effort. This may be the only way to
ensure that you are completely isolated from the noise. Your best bet is to relocate away
from aircraft routes, trains, highways, and industrial districts.
Some important compliances under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control)
Rules, 2000.
The
restrictions on using loudspeaker or musical system at night
A person cannot play a loudspeaker, public address system, sound producing
instrument, musical instrument or a sound amplifier at nighttime except in closed
premises like auditorium, conference rooms, community halls or banquet halls.
The
noise level for using loudspeakers or the public address
The persons using loudspeakers or public address shall maintain the noise level
and restrain it from exceeding 10 dB (A) above the ambient noise standards for the area
specified or 75 dB (A) whichever is lower.9
The
Noise
level
for
a
private
sound
system
The persons owning a private sound system or a sound producing instrument shall
not, exceed the noise above 5 dB (A) the noise standards specified for the area in which
it is used.
The
restrictions
on
bursting
firecrackers
A person shall not burst sound emitting firecrackers in silence zone or during
nighttime.
The restrictions on noise making construction equipment’s at night, near
residential
areas
A person is restricted from using sound emitting construction equipment's during
nighttime in residential areas and silence zones.
The
Prohibitions
on
Violating
the
A person shall not do the following acts in silence zone.
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•
•
•
•
silence
zone
areas
Playing any music or uses any sound amplifiers,
A drum or tom-tom or blows a horn either musical or pressure, or trumpet or beats
or sounds any instrument, or
Playing any musical or other performance of a to attract crowd
Bursting sound emitting firecrackers
Using
a
loudspeaker
or
a
public
address
system.
The
Restriction
on
using
horns
at
the
silence
zone
A person shall not use the horn in silence zones or during nighttime in residential
areas except during a public emergency.
The
Consequences
of
any
violation
in
silence
zone
/
area
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Anyone who contravenes the provisions of this Act, or the rules shall, be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with
fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both, and in case the failure or
contravention continues, an additional fine which may extend to five thousand
rupees for every day during contravention continues.
• If the person continues to contravention beyond a period of one year after
the date of conviction, the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to seven years.
Average by Day time and Nighttime under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,
2000
Day time shall mean from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Nighttime shall mean from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.
Regulatory Authorities regarding Noise Pollution
Philippines
The National Pollution Control Commission is the regulatory authorities here in the
Philippines with the coordination of appropriate government agencies like DENR
(Department of Environment and Natural Resources), DOTr (Department of
Transportation), DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) DOLE (Department
of Labor and Employment) and CAA (Civil Aeronautics Administration)
Example of Active Regulatory Authorities
Proposed Multibranched Financing Facility Republic of the Philippines: Malolos-Clark
Railway Project (Solis to Blumentritt Section of North South Railway Project
Sub-consultancy Work on Noise and Vibration Studies.
In the Philippines, there are two (2) categories of noise regulations: environmental noise
standards and workplace noise standards, both of which attempt to limit noise source
emissions. Environmental or ambient noise regulations.
The public or communities that live nearby or outside a business or facility are normally
protected, but workplace noise rules are for workers who may be exposed to undesirable
sound (or noise) within their workspaces. The DENR is in charge of regulating ambient
noise levels, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is in charge of
workplace standards.
Global
Different Countries has own regulatory authorities, the truth is steps have already taken
by
government
around
the
world
to
control
noise
pollution.
Other countries of the world have taken similar measures to combat noise pollution. To
address the effects and complications of the noise problem, the United States conducts
research and noise control projects. Furthermore, the public is given information and
educational materials about the negative effects of noise on health, as well as the benefits
of low-noise goods and the most effective techniques of noise control.
Guangzhou, the world's noisiest city, has numerous rules and safeguards in place to limit
and manage noise pollution. Local governments are in charge of supervising and
managing the prevention and control of environmental noise pollution throughout the
country.